Kathmandu July 11 : In a helicopter crash of Manang Air in Solukhumbu, 5 individuals have been found dead. The accident occurred in the Lamjura area of Likhupike Gaunpalika-5, where the Manang Air helicopter with registration 9N-AMH, which had taken off from the Surke Heli-pad in Solukhumbu, crashed en route to Kathmandu.

Ganesh Thile Sherpa, the chairman of Ward Number 2 of Solu Dudhkunda Municipality, informed that the bodies of 5 individuals were recovered from the accident site. He stated, “According to the information provided by the Beni Police Station, the bodies of 5 individuals have been found. However, their identities have not been confirmed.” He also mentioned that one individual was reported missing.

On Tuesday morning, a Manang Air helicopter departed from Surke Heli-pad in Solukhumbu, carrying 5 Mexican tourists, and crashed in the Lamjura area of Likhupike Gaunpalika-5, Beni Police Station reported.

Assistant Inspector of Police Nirajan Basnet, from Beni Police Station in Solu Dudhkunda Municipality-2, confirmed the accident. He said, “We are at the accident site. A helicopter accident has occurred. We will provide further information later,” during a brief conversation with Nepalpage.

Due to the bad weather conditions at Lukla Airport, the aforementioned helicopter, after flying from Kathmandu, was redirected back to Surke. The passengers were then brought to Kathmandu by road.

Sagar Kandel, an ATC officer at Tenjing Hillary Airport in Lukla, stated that contact with the helicopter was lost around Lamajura Danda(Peak), and communication with Kathmandu Tower was disconnected. The helicopter lost contact at around 10:12 AM, 12 minutes after takeoff at 10 AM. According to him, the helicopter had taken off from Surke and was expected to reach Kathmandu within 5 minutes.